Final answer:
The correct option is 1. DNA is a better molecule for long-term storage of genetic information because it is more stable and its double-stranded structure allows for redundancy and error correction in the genetic code, not necessarily because it has greater capacity than RNA.
Step-by-step explanation:
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a better molecule for long-term storage of genetic information than RNA (ribonucleic acid) primarily for a few key reasons. First, DNA is more stable than RNA due to the deoxyribose sugar in its backbone, which makes it less prone to degradation. Second, DNA's double-stranded structure allows for redundancy and a mechanism for error correction, where one strand can serve as a template to repair the other if damaged.
Moreover, contrary to the misconception that DNA can carry more genetic information than RNA simply based on size, it is the stability and structural aspects of DNA that are critical for its role in information storage. Lastly, while the RNA world hypothesis suggests RNA may have been the original hereditary molecule, DNA has evolved to be the primary storage medium due to its enhanced stability and fidelity.
Therefore, the correct option is: 1) DNA is more stable and less prone to degradation than RNA, and 2) DNA has a double-stranded structure, which provides redundancy and error correction. The third option is misleading because it implies DNA can inherently carry more information because of capacity rather than its stability which is the actual reason for its suitability for long-term storage.